Overwhelming Stress

The overwhelming stress
of my life
of our lives
of their lives
of your life
is that of a competition.

I’m mentally at my limit
as if you’re not?
and I know
that it’s an empty thought
to send out there
out of my brain
and within yours
because since birth
we’ve had this primal need
to stand up and say
it’s harder for me
then it is you
and we’ve reached out for pity
although I rather don’t enjoy pity
if I’m speaking honestly.

Often looking to others
for a recognition for our stress
as if we need permission
to feel overwhelmed
although it’s more personal than that isn’t it?
Our stress is that of our own
and what sets one person in a panic
another freely navigates
with a calm demeaner
as if there is nothing
to be lost
or gained
and even if there is
they shrug it off.
Does that mean they’re not overwhelmed?
Or rather it’s burrowed so far within them
that their nerves no longer
reject or fight
rather they smile and continue
because if there is to be a tomorrow
they must let it go?

Thanks for reading.
-Temperamentally Tina